Welcome to the doldrums of the NBA offseason. Half the league is on vacation, trades are few and far between, and those that do take place tend to involve filling final roster spots (Utah signing Patty Mills, for example) or securing two-way players or camp invites.
Still, there are a few free agents worth keeping an eye on who, while not game-changing, can help fill holes in the rotation and contribute to their team. Here are the seven best free agents still on the market.
1. Markelle Fultz
This is a bit of a surprise to me, because out of the spotlight in Orlando, Fultz has developed into a solid point guard when healthy. There are a few factors slowing the team down. First, health concerns. He played in 43 games last season and 129 games over the four seasons prior to that. Second, Fultz is not at his most effective without the ball in his hands, but he’s not a great shooter (22.2% from 3-point range last season).
Still, he could provide plenty of minutes for the team as a reserve, but no team has offered him one yet and, at this point, he would likely have to accept a minimum contract from Orlando.
2. Isaac Okoro (Restricted)
The Cavaliers wing was hoping for a raise from the $8.9 million he made last season (the final year of his rookie contract), but he got slammed on the restricted free agent market. Okoro improved last season, averaging 9.4 points per game and shooting 39.1% from three-point range, but teams weren’t in a rush to offer him more than Cleveland could match. The Cavaliers let the market take its course, no team was willing to make a big offer (hence no team made one), and here we are. Okoro will likely re-sign with the Cavaliers before training camp.
3. Lonnie Walker IV
Walker averaged 9.7 points and shot 38.4% from the field in 58 games for the Nets last season. Those are solid numbers and Walker could fit into many teams’ rotations, but whether he’ll fit in Brooklyn with the ever-changing situation is up for debate. The problem is that the front office only sees Walker as a scorer. Still, some team should sign him on a minimum contract. He can provide the team with points and is capable of playing a few games a season.
4. Justin Holiday
The veteran guard appeared in 58 games with Denver last season, averaging 4 points and shooting 40.4% from the 3-point line. He then saw increased playing time in the playoffs against the Timberwolves. Because of that, he was likely hoping for more than the veteran minimum salary (what he made last season), but the deal fell through. The 35-year-old will be signing with a team that needs a veteran presence on the bench, but he could add stability to the team.
5. Cedi Osman
Osman was a regular in the Spurs rotation last season, averaging 6.8 points and shooting 38.9% from the 3-point line in 72 games played (all but three off the bench). Osman has said he wants to return to the Spurs, but any team looking to add some shooting power off the bench at this point could give him a call. Osman is under 30 and has a nice build (6’7″), so he would be a good fit for many teams.
6. Dennis Smith Jr.
Smith was another player left vacant when the music stopped during the Nets’ offseason moves. Last season, the point guard averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 assists per game for Brooklyn. He’s not a great outside shooter (29.8% career 3-pointer), but he can provide rotational minutes off the bench and take control of games. There’s been talk of him on a few teams, but nothing has materialized yet.
7. Davis Bertans
Davis Bertans was waived by Charlotte while on the court in his native Latvia for an Olympic qualifying game, and while the 76ers are rumored to be interested, they have yet to acquire him. Bertans is a 6-foot-10 floor-spacing big man who averaged 6.7 points per game and shot 38% from three-point range last season with Oklahoma City and Charlotte. With many teams needing a four/small-ball five to space the floor off the bench, it’s easy to see him signing somewhere before training camp.
Honorable Mentions: Boban Marjanovic, Talen Horton-Tucker, Marcus Morris Sr., Evan Fournier, Tristan Thompson, Reggie Bullock, Danilo Gallinari, Jae Crowder, TJ Warren, Thaddeus Young, Robert Covington and Javonte Green.
